Swabbed at the Airport

This is a discussion on Swabbed at the Airport within the Off Topic & Humor Discussion forums, part of the The Back Porch category; When I went through airport security today I was randomly picked to have my hands swabbed. It made me wonder if I would have had ...

Swabbed at the Airport

When I went through airport security today I was randomly picked to have my hands swabbed. It made me wonder if I would have had a false positive if I had been shooting earlier in the day/previous day. Anybody had experience with this?

Nope. I didn't even know they do that. I'm flying to PA fairly soon, this is good to know because I shoot a LOT. I'm definitely abstaining for 24 hours and washing my hands next time. All I can say about that false positive, better have an alibi buddy.

Thank GOD they swabbed your hands! And randomly at that. I feel much safer now. Who knows what tragedies could have occurred if you happened to go shooting that day. </extreme sarcasm> When I used to send my daughter off on an unaccompanied minor flight some years back I was "randomly" (yeah right) searched (a lot) and I wasn't even flying. (things that could get me in trouble with govt. deleted here) But hey, whatever makes people "feel" better.

A while back I was travelling with firearms and ammo. The TSA gal opened every box of ammo and dutifully swiped across the primer end - using ONE swab for maybe 5 boxes. Still don't know what she expected to find, but I didn't have any further delay after her little exercise.

the chemicals it detects are (for the most part) readily available to the public for legitimate use. if it comes up positive for anything, tell them what you were doing that put those chemicals on your clothes or hands. then tell them to hurry up. you will not be detained or arrested. it means almost nothing. i go through TSA security points several times a week and I've never even seen anyone swab positive for anything. the worst I think that would happen is that you'd end up on the rubber glove list.

the chemicals it detects are (for the most part) readily available to the public for legitimate use. if it comes up positive for anything, tell them what you were doing that put those chemicals on your clothes or hands. then tell them to hurry up. you will not be detained or arrested. it means almost nothing. i go through TSA security points several times a week and I've never even seen anyone swab positive for anything. the worst I think that would happen is that you'd end up on the rubber glove list.

the chemicals it detects are (for the most part) readily available to the public for legitimate use. if it comes up positive for anything, tell them what you were doing that put those chemicals on your clothes or hands. then tell them to hurry up. you will not be detained or arrested. it means almost nothing. i go through TSA security points several times a week and I've never even seen anyone swab positive for anything. the worst I think that would happen is that you'd end up on the rubber glove list.

If you use your hands to spread common fertilizer (either powdered or granular) you will get a positive. The test is looking for nitrates.

I've been in and out of Reagan 3 or 4 times in the past year and haven't been swabbed. Wonder in there is a specific "threat" they have been alerted to or if TSA just got some extra money and want to put on a little show to justify their existence...

I've been in and out of Reagan 3 or 4 times in the past year and haven't been swabbed. Wonder in there is a specific "threat" they have been alerted to or if TSA just got some extra money and want to put on a little show to justify their existence...